There are so many things that make working at Glenridge special. This week, I was honored to be asked to participate in the Glenridge Farm Games. Ms. Glenn organized these games on Friday as a way of culminating National FFA week (please see FFA highlights in this issue). 

The story I want to share with you is that I made my way out to the Glenridge Farm during 5th period when I knew that Madden Kempinger was on the class roster. Like any good father, I wanted to see which event he was participating in. When he said that he was in the team sack race, it warmed my heart to ask Ms. Glenn if I too could participate in that event with my son. After all, this will be one of the last times I will be able to enjoy this camaraderie. I’m sure all of you can picture how excited, nay thrilled, Madden was to see his principal/dad in this scenario. So, like any proud father, when Ms. Glenn said that she had room in the event, I enthusiastically walked over to Madden, put my arm on his shoulder, and said, “You’re going down.” And in fact, my partner and I won the event and I have not let him hear the end of it since. However, I do think I may have injured myself putting it all on the line for victory. A small price to pay, if you ask me.  

Some families may have received a “Talking Points” message regarding tech fines that we have on record. Thank you to those of you who have reached back out. We will provide each of you with any information that we have to explain these fines. If these fines weren’t communicated when they occurred, I apologize. The process for assessing device fines is consistent throughout the district, and the fine increases each time something occurs. Unfortunately, when a student returns a charger because it is broken, the fine is assessed to the student. This is not a perfect system as we know sometimes things just stop working. I can understand that frustration. However, with the district moving to a 1:1 device model, the school is responsible for providing the equipment to the students. It costs the school $40 to purchase a new charger. The first fine for a missing charger is $10, then $15 then $25. So, even collecting our fines, the school loses money on broken chargers. I only explain this so you can better understand the challenges we face as a fully digital school. I want everyone to know that we will never prevent your child from participating in any event due to fines, and if they are an 8th grade student, a fine will not prevent them from going to high school. If you feel that the charges aren’t warranted, I understand that as well. We are just trying to collect any fines that may have been forgotten about over the last 18 months. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.  

We will be holding track tryouts this week after school beginning on Wednesday. Students should have comfortable running clothes and meet in the gym. Tryouts last through Friday. I highly recommend trying out for track. There are so many options for events that it really is an opportunity for everyone to participate. 

We also run multiple heats for each event, so students will be able to compete against schools and students that are aligned to their abilities. It is also great training for students that play other sports.  

Finally, I know we are a long way from the end of the year, but we have secured dates for our end-of-the-year ceremonies for our students. We will host the 6th grade awards on May 20th, and 7th grade on May 21st. Those events will be held in our MPR on campus beginning at 2PM. Students will be allowed to sign out with their families if they choose to at the end of the event. Our 8th grade event will be held on May 22nd at the Winter Park High School auditorium beginning at 6PM. 

Have a good week and thank you for reading. 

Mr. Kempinger

Principal

Pictured very top: Glenridge Theater students at the Florida Junior Thespians Competition (story just below)